As the registration deadline
approaches, the number of SD teams is jumping daily! Right now we are at 72
teams – thanks for all your support in outreach, trying to get these other
teams. While we are still hoping to break 100 this year, it might be something
we’ll have to save for our big 5 year anniversary next season. Either way, we
are so proud to have this many teams in such a lightly populated
state!
Here’s what we have for this
week: 1. Classes and
mentoring, 2. Coach meetings, 3. Timeline
Programming Classes and
mentoring session are in the works in your area! Right now the details haven't
been release, but as soon as I find out when the session are, I'll update
you.
2. SDRA will be hosting Coach
Meetings in Sioux Falls on Tuesday, Sept 18 or Tuesday, Oct 9 at 7 pm.
We're working hard to have coach sessions in the regional hubs. Because
distance is such a huge factor in SD, we'll have our coach training powerpoint
online after the meeting. If you're interested in a video conference option,
please let me know! We will be talking about the Qualifying system in more
detail, and discussing the minor changes to rubrics and the robot game rules
that happened for this year.
3. Finally, there has been some
question over the season timeline for this year. Yes, we will be
instituting Qualifyers this year. That means that no, not every team will make
it to the state competition on February 9th. However, the Qualifyers
should not be looked on as elimination events; they are actually another
competition opportunity to strengthen teams. As of now approximately 70% (based
on the recommendations of the national organization, the number of teams in SD,
and the number we can comfortably host at our state event) of the teams will go
on to state. These events will actually foster growth and learning, as the
teams will get feedback from judges earlier in the process, so they know where
they went wrong or went right in their preparations and be better for
it.
I’ve also heard complaints that
December Qualifyers are too early, and that it ends the learning process for the
kids too soon. We are going to stand firm on this: that is completely
misunderstanding the nature of the program - FLL is designed to be a compact
season - 8 weeks to design, engineer, and program their robots and do their
research project is supposed to stretch them. Engineers never
have enough time, resources, or help to get the job done perfectly. This
program mimics that sense of urgency and the need for improved problem
solving.
In South Dakota, our competitions
are among the latest in the nation. The official season is only 8 weeks long,
September through the end of October. Most regions have their Qualifying events
in early November and their state events before Christmas. Please see the extra
few weeks we do have here in SD as a gift, rather than view it as a
liability because you will compete earlier than in previous
years.
In each program there will be
growing pains – hopefully this is just a small one for us! We are off to big
things, and I know you are all as devoted as we are to making this one of the
best FLL programs in the country.
As always, let me know if you have
questions or concerns, my inbox is always open!
GO FLL!!
Love always,
Robyn
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